Simatic S5 PLC

The Simatic S5 PLC is an automation system based on Programmable Logic Controllers. It was manufactured and sold by Siemens AG. Such automation systems control process equipment and machinery used in manufacturing. This product line is considered obsolete, as the manufacturer has since replaced it with their newer Simatic S7 PLC. However, the S5 PLC still has a huge installation base in factories around the world. Most automation systems integrators still have the ability to provide support for the platform.

Hardware

The S5 line comes in the 90U, 95U, 101U, 100U, 105, 110, 115,115U, 135U, and 155U chassis styles. The higher the number (except for the 101U), the more sophisticated and more expensive the system. Within each chassis style, several CPUs are available, with varying speed, memory, and capabilities. Some systems provide redundant CPU operation for ultra-high-reliability control, as used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, for example.

Each chassis consists of a power supply, and a backplane with slots for the addition of various option boards. Available options include serial and Ethernet communications, digital input and output cards, analog signal processing boards, counter cards, and other specialized interface and function modules.